Stronghurst Makes Final Decision On Stop Signs

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

Tony Anderson, Amanda Kane, Brendan Schaley and David Knutstrom met and studied the stop and yield signs one more time before bringing their recommendation to the Stronghurst Village board on Monday, November 7th.

Of the list of recommendations only one on the list was unacceptable to the entire board and that was the north and south stop signs at Broadway and Dixson, which the committee recommended be removed.

After much discussion, pro and con, Mayor Eric Chockley called for a vote.

Schaley, Kane, and Anderson voted yes for removal, while Mike Bohnenkamp, David Vancil and Deb Hale voted no to its removal.

This left the deciding vote up to the mayor, who after some deliberation voted in favor of keeping the stop signs at this location.

The other recommendations included:

Current signs included in ordinance:

Division and Main: North/South-yield; change from stops to yields in ordinance

Dave Schaab from Waste Management was present to discuss replacing the current recycle bins with a 96 gallon container, which has an attached lid and heavy duty wheels.

This would prevent the recycle material from blowing away when set out, as well as encourage more recyclable items to be placed in it.

The cost would rise by $2 for each household.

The board will discuss this option and make a decision at a later date. Mr. Schaab was told one box of Sharpies has been collected at city hall and has been sent in so far.

Police Chief Gary Smith reported there had been a total of 5 traffic stops, 2 verbal warnings, 2 written warnings, 2 uniform traffic tickets, 1 notice to appear, 9 service calls, 8 agency assists, 0 village ordinance tickets and no arrests for the month of October.

The department received $90.42 in fines during October.

A valve spring was replaced and is believed to have been the cause of all the previous problems with the squad car.

The fourth and last rifle was ordered from LESO.

The village's portion of the "Disaster Preparedness Plan" has been completed. EMS is completing its section.

Once that is done, Chief Smith will have an ESDA meeting to determine what is the minimum equipment necessary to manage a village-wide event.

Chief Smith hopes to present the plan and the General's Staff recommendations to the board during the December meeting.

In other business:

The MSA engineer was not present but according to Ronnie Gittings only one bid for digging a test well had been received thus far and they were expecting two more.

A culvert needs replaced on north street, as well as be widen for safety reasons. On a motion by Deb Hale, seconded by Amanda Kane the board voted to replace the culvert with a 54' one.

Gittings said the leak detector system they now have is working well.

Gittings said when hydrants are replaced a sticker will be placed on residents doors if their water is going to be shut off. If the whole town needs to be shut off a poster will be placed in businesses.

Gittings showed the board a pamphlet on a leaf vacuum which would help with cleaning up the park, as well as other areas. The board voted to buy one of the machines at a cost of $1500 plus $350 for the hose.

It was reported the village is ready for snow removal and that Andy Gittings, Lawrence Neff and Tony Anderson would help with plowing if it became necessary.

Board heard Jeff Peterson had a burglary, Chris Barber had an attempt and Tony Griepentrog's garage had been entered with stuff taken was all.

The fair board has signed permission for a well to be dug on their property.

The board voted yes on the tax levy ordinance.

There will be a Christmas lighting contest for Stronghurst residents again this
year. The police department will be in charge of the judging.

Shirley Linder asked if the tile under the sidewalk at the corner of Main and Division was their responsibility to clean out or the village. Gittings said it was the village's responsibility and would be taken care of.